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For years I have been noticing the link between gluten and autoimmune conditions as well as intestinal inflammation and poor health. Both situations involve the integrity of the intestinal lining and often the presence of leaky gut syndrome. In this syndrome, the digestive system becomes inflamed and undigested foods and toxins “leak” into the bloodstream causing not only food intolerances, allergies, eczema but also autoimmune conditions.
The intestinal lining provides a barrier to keep bacteria, toxins and undigested food out while allowing water, vitamins and minerals to be absorbed into the blood stream. In between the cells that line the digestive system are tiny spaces that were previously thought to be closed doors, only opening when it was appropriate.
The recent discovery of “zonulin” has revealed the key to intestinal inflammation1. Zonulin regulates the permeability of the tiny doors between cells and many people produce too much zonulin, which results in the doors being left open – to gluten, undigested food, toxins, bacteria, viruses and parasites!
The result is metaflammation, autoimmune disease and weight gain.  Another study had a very interesting outcome – people with higher zonulin levels had higher inflammation levels, a higher BMI, higher fasting insulin and higher cholesterol2!
According to Dr Alessio Fasano, the scientist who discovered zonulin, there are three factors that combine to cause autoimmune conditions and poor health:

Susceptible genetics
An environmental trigger e.g. gluten, stress
Excessive zonulin production resulting in leaky gut

It appears the research is clear – when your body is inflamed, zonulin levels rise and give way to many health problems. I have found that treating excess zonulin and leaky gut can be very complex and challenging. Many clients come to me having already “done a detox” to fix their leaky gut but […]